[Vol. 2 

 14 ANNALS OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN 



the appearance and participation of two of our most note- 

 worthy colleagues, Klebs and Fitting. 



But since this could not be, and circumstances have gra- 

 ciously willed it that I should be the only German botanist to 

 participate in your celebration, I wish to express to you on 

 behalf of the German botanists our best wishes. 



Twenty-five years appear as a short interval of time and 

 yet you have a right to celebrate the completion of these 

 twenty-five years. This first period is one of the most impor- 

 tant, if not the most important, for in it have been established 

 the foundations for the entire future of the Garden. You have 

 all seen what has been created in these years. One still recog- 

 nizes here and there the simple conditions under which the 

 work was started, but these are eclipsed by the imprint which 

 later years have left on the Garden and its buildings. One 

 sees everywhere with what ability and foresight the develop- 

 ment of the Garden has been promoted and every provision 

 made for the scientific work and the increased usefulness of 

 the Garden to the public. 



But you have also provided a source of information and 

 stimulation to those who are not in a position to directly make 

 use of the resources of the Garden by the publication of the 

 two periodicals, 'Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden' 

 and 'Missouri Botanical Garden Bulletin,' of which the 

 former is intended for the entire botanical world, whereas the 

 latter goes to those in your home who have an interest in, and 

 an understanding for, botany as a scientia amabilis. 



It does not, therefore, require a great gift of prophecy to 

 predict for Shaw's Garden a further deserving development. 



Wherever German botanists can help and wherever their 

 cooperation is desired, they will always gladly work hand in 

 hand with you, proof of which is furnished by the very char- 

 acter of German science, which has always sought to further 

 each and every investigation for the greatest general good, an 

 ideal which will not be lost sight of in the future. 



My wishes you will permit me to express thus : 



Hortus botanicus Shaivensis vivat, crescat, floreat!' 



